This new retro KC bakery, coffee shop sells ‘nostalgia-inspired sweets’
Stepping into Shea Coffman’s bakery will, he hopes, feel like going to Dad’s.
Lamps glow orange in a room filled with ‘70s-style furniture and house plants and graphic art. The smells of fresh baked cookies and pies fill the air. He wants customers to walk in and make themselves right at home.
His new bakery, Dad’s Bakeshop, aims to feel — and taste — like a warm hug. He soft-opened the spot Friday, selling out of his baked goods before its predetermined closing time.
He took over the former Yum Bakery space at 104 E. 43rd St. in the Southmoreland neighborhood.
“At its heart, it’s what I describe as a home base for sweet moments,” Coffman said. “I believe the important way forward for all of us right now is to sit down. Together.”
Baked goods will change depending on the day, but some items include cinnamon rolls, galettes, tea cakes, snack cake sandwiches, breads, savory items and pies.
He bragged on his gooey chocolate chip cookies. Banana bread and brownies are also on the menu.
“We’ll play around with some flavors and move with the seasons,” he said, adding that the overall theme of his baked goods will be “nostalgia-inspired sweets with a little bit of a pastry twist.”
Blip Coffee is supplying the coffee. Drip coffee and cold brew are available, with specialty drinks including a wild blackberry iced coffee.
At the soft opening Friday, Coffman said he was overwhelmed by the amount of business and support. Customers have been devouring the plum galettes, which are flaky fruit pastries.
“There’s been so much love this morning, which was so nice of everybody,” Coffman said. “This morning was such a mix of the community, which is what I wanted to do.”
Coffman never expected to be opening a bake shop. In fact, he never thought he could. His background is in acting, and he’s appeared in shows at The Coterie and Unicorn Theater. After his acting career led him to Chicago, he decided to take a year off.
In that time, he spent hours in the kitchen perfecting recipes. That culminated into bake sales, attending The French Pastry School in Chicago, and working at a pie shop.
“It was such a safe space for me to escape to,” he said.
As for the name, Coffman isn’t a dad in the traditional sense. He hopes it’s emblematic of the feeling he wants the space to elicit.
But he was the father to a pitbull mix, Crush, for 13 years. He lost him two days before making the trip back to Kansas City. His pup’s pictures are around the shop.
If this weekend’s consistent sellouts are any indication, the future is bright for Dad’s. He hopes it’s a sunny spot for community members, as well.
“I’m really excited to learn the community that I’m a part of now and see what they’re looking for,” Coffman said. “Kind of just that whole, being a shop owner in a community.
For now, it will be open Fridays through Sundays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bakery may expand its hours.